House Approves Extending Licenses For Illegal Immigrants

The Maryland House of Delegates has passed a measure that would allow immigrants living in the U.S. illegally to continue to obtain Maryland driver's licenses.

The measure, already approved by the Senate, passed in an 82-55 vote on Friday.

The legislation would expand an existing licensing system that allows some applicants to obtain a license without proof of lawful immigration status, and repeals the state's 2015 deadline for immigrants living in the U.S. illegally to get rid of their Maryland driver's licenses.

Supporters of the measure say that when people living in the U.S. illegally have access to driver's licenses, it enables them to purchase car insurance and makes the state's highways safer.

Opponents argued that the licenses could draw more people living in the country illegally to Maryland, including possible terrorists.

Montgomery County Democratic Delegate Luiz Simmons pointed out that the license issued to the immigrants cannot be used to board an airplane, or enter a federal building, and they are labeled such.